ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNITY CENTER PROGRAM COUNSELOR

Overview

Working at Larkin Street, no matter what department, means making a real difference in the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. Our team is skilled, diverse, and passionate. Our culture encourages achievement and professional development, as well as teamwork and self-care. Our focus is always on the young people at the heart of our mission and to nurture potential, promote dignity and support bold steps by all. We foster a work environment that is inclusive as well as diverse, where our team members can be themselves.

For more information about us, visit www.larkinstreetyouth.org.

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

Larkin Street Drop-Ins and Youth Access Points are drop-in centers that offer information to youth about housing, access to meals, case management, group activities, individual and group counseling, and other daily needs. We also provide physical and mental health services. In addition, we have education programs that meet youth where they are, as well as offer a variety of job opportunities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Program Manager of the Engagement & Community Center (ECC), the Engagement & Community Center Program Counselor will be responsible for Assisting clients in progressing within Larkin Street’s continuum of services including Education and Employment services with Larkin Street Academy and housing with Larkin Street. The incumbent in this position will be a constant presence on the ECC general floor area and assist clients with all basic needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for contributing towards the care and welfare of staff and to the clients we serve. This includes crisis intervention and helping to maintain the safety of the program.
• Provide support to the ECC, including the front desk team and Food Services.
• Engage successfully with a diverse client population who present with a myriad of issues.
• Handle crisis situations through de-escalation techniques and assist clients as they process social and emotional problems.
• Practice life skills in training for youth through modeling, active counseling and motivational interviewing, and facilitation of groups.
• Promote wellness of the community through a harm reduction approach.
• Ensure the safety and security of all clients, staff, volunteers, and the facility.
• Collect client information through intake and assessment, organize that information by entering data into paper-based and electronic-based data systems and obtain additional information by coordinating with other professional sources.
• Assists individuals by working with other programs to ensure youth are moving through a continuum of Larkin Street services and/or city services while helping individuals understand and overcome social and emotional problems.
• In conjunction with internal resources, the Counselor may teach or hold group meetings relating to Larkin Street Core Curriculum.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintaining the cleanliness and operations of the facility including helping to prepare and serve meals, cleaning bathrooms, maintaining storage areas, correct activity schedules and signage displayed, and other tasks assigned by Program management.
• Participate in professional development activities to enhance Counselor skill levels.
• Responsible for supporting Program services within the milieu. For example, crisis intervention or helping to maintain the safety of the program.
• Responsible for contributing to the care and welfare of staff and the clients we serve.
• Oversee shower, laundry, and clothing closet services.
• Always maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor, and appearance.
• Perform tasks and responsibilities in a complete and timely manner, complying with agency policies and standards and conforming to the requirements of this job description.
• Maintain a creative, team-building, cooperative approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.
• Maintain a focus on the agency’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.
• Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the agency for the care and welfare of staff and to the youth in which we serve.
• Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.
• Maintaining the strictest confidentiality.
• Ability to work with a diverse staff and excel in a multi-cultural environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE:

• 2-3 years of experience working with high-risk youth in a shelter and/or transitional or supportive housing program(s) preferred.
• Working knowledge of Harm Reduction and the issues facing homeless youth including substance use, mental health issues, foster care, and juvenile justice systems.
• Must be a self-starter with excellent follow-through skills.
• Ability to work with high-risk youth and with diverse staff, clients, and volunteers.
• Clean driving record.
• Opportunities for Bi-Lingual in Spanish are available.
• Requires ability to lift, transfer, push/pull, maneuver, and reposition 25 lbs.
• Ability to reach, bend and walk.
• Finger manipulation.
• Ability to comprehend complex materials.
• Ability to speak and write English clearly and accurately.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

This position is represented by SEIU 1021 under a collective bargaining agreement.

All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

Larkin Street Youth Services is an equal opportunity employer. Larkin Street Youth Service seeks qualified candidates with an interest in the non-profit sector. We are committed to embracing diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified.